Himes talks about state's stimulus money

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, February 24, 2009

RIDGEFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, sees benefits coming to the state from the economic stimulus package signed into law last week by President Barack Obama.

Himes met with Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and schools Superintendent
Deborah Low
on Monday to highlight the money the state will receive.
He focused on what the money will mean for Ridgefield, the northern-most town in his Fairfield County district.
"It's not a perfect bill," Himes said, "but the country is losing 20,000 jobs a day, and you don't take two months to work for perfection in a bill in this tough economic climate."
Himes told Low the Ridgefield school district will get $1 million in IDEA (Individual Disabilities Education Act) money for special education.
"We are delighted to hear about the IDEA funding," Low said. "The potential is huge for the schools budget. To the extent this money could be used ... to keep current special education programs in place is wonderful."
Himes was not sure the money could be used that way and said he would get back to Low with an answer.
He said 1.35 million Connecticut workers will see a reduction in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks.
Recently unemployed residents of Ridgefield and throughout the state will get an additional $100 a month in unemployment benefits, and benefits will be extended to help some 45,000 others.
There is also a new 65 percent tax credit for the recently unemployed to pay for health insurance through COBRA for up to 12 months.
Himes told Marconi the $545.8 million Connecticut will receive in fiscal stabilization funding "doesn't begin to close the gap" in the state budget.
"The House bill would have sent a lot more money directly to municipalities for shovel-ready projects," Himes said, noting the Senate heavily cut that funding.
Himes said it bothers him that the money for town projects and transportation improvements will "flow through Hartford."
Marconi said, "There is concern among the mayors and first selectmen of Connecticut municipalities" that they will receive less relief money because of that process.
"But I am mildly encourage that the governor (

) has said she will establish an advisory council to determine what projects will receive the funding," Himes said.
"You will have to push the legislature and the governor for specific projects you need the funding for," he told Marconi.